After failing to close it all out with a loss in game 4 in Toronto. The boys returned to South Philly to close it out at the Wells Fargo. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned. The Raptors outplay the Sixers and force a game 6.
Embiid starts with a fine due to his “comments” following game 4. On the reverse side, Nick Nurse can say anything he wants about the officiating with no recourse.
First Quarter
Fred VanVleet is out of the game due to a hip injury. The Sixers start off sloppy with soft turnovers. Six total in the first. The tide quickly changes as a few Raptors are unable to hit their shots. They at one point had a nine-point lead.
Harris plays tough on Siakam. Tobias starts scoring earlier including a pretty corner three off a new look pass from Harden. Embiid drawing the fouls as he did early on in the series. Seems that James Harden must have heard the criticisms from the media and stepped up his pace and aggression on both sides of the court. Unfortunately, his offensive becomes minimized for a large portion of the game. Maxey impresses by changing hands in mid-air with a pretty bucket. Two points came from an unlikely source. Raptors forward Precious Achiuwa allows a rebound to bounce off his fingers into the 76ers basket. Toronto wins quarter one 29-27.
A Sloppy First Half
Not exactly the start the 76ers wanted in the second. The Raptors go on a 12-0 run to start the quarter. The Sixers can not score on 11 straight possessions. Danny Green finally stop the bleeding with a corner three after a timeout. Philly goes on an 8-0 run to help cut the lead. Danny Green kept the lead from getting out of hand with well-timed three-pointers.
Unfortunately the frustrating first ends with a 13-point deficit for Philly. The 76ers couldn’t buy a basket. Philly put up a measly 14 points in the second. The only saving grace is that the Raptors missed quite a few shots. Turnovers and breakaway points were the stories of the first half. Maxey only has two points in the first half. Raptors end the first half up, 54-41.
Something Has to Give
Danny Green starts the second half with a three. Danny Green playing aggressive keeps plays alive. The sixers continue to struggle on offense. The Raptors keep Embiid and Philly out of the paint and force tough jumpers. The sixers’ defense allows easy drives to the basket allowing the Raptors to keep pace. The Raptors press the Sixers keeping them off balance. Sixers end the third quarter down nine points. 75-66 Raptors.
The Final Nail
The 76ers need a strong fourth quarter to get a win and end the series. Maxey starts off the strong. Once the Sixers start making up ground the Raptors respond and keep them at arm’s length. Miscues haunt the Sixers. James Harden hits his first three of the night with less than 6 minutes left in regulation. Other than that the Raptors outplay the Sixers and force a game 6.
Danny Green is one of the few bright spots in the game for the Sixers. Tyrese Maxey has a mediocre game with 2 points, 3 Assists, and 2 rebounds. Tobias Harris continues to shine with 16 points, 4 assists, and 6 rebounds. Embiid kept in check with 20 points and 11 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Al is one of the two co-creators of Edge of Philly Sports. Al started radio and podcasting in 2012 and covering sports in 2015. A lifelong Philly sports fan since watching the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers with his grandfathers at age 7. Al always looks at the other side of the hot topics and gives his different outlook on those topics. Web and Graphic Design.
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